Brands Hatch BSB: Byrne on pole as Brookes crashes out

Shane Byrne has taken yet another pole position in qualifying for tomorrow’s MCE British Superbike races at Brands Hatch, setting a 1:26.131 lap to just snatch pole from Chris Walker by 0.058.
 
However, title challenger Josh Brookes will start from back in eighth place, after crashing out first in Q1, making it back in time to go out again in the later sessions, but then crashing again in the final session.
 
GBmoto Kawasaki, looking to repeat their success of the first round of the year at Brands, were able to secure not just second but also third, with Walker’s teammate James Ellison a further 0.196 back.
 
Jacob Smrz, the fastest rider on track for a time, will lead out the second row, despite a late push from him running alongside Ryuichi Kiyonari, who finished in sixth. The second Milwaukee Yamaha of Tommy Bridewell split the pair, taking fifth.
 
Speaking after the session, Byrne said that the qualifying had been difficult as his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki squad struggled to find a comfortable setup.
 
“We made changes between sessions, and I went out in Q1 and right away knew it wasn’t right. We had to make some big changes but in the end we got there, and I owe big thanks to my team and to K-Tech suspension.”